Coin-controlled operating mechanism for vending machines



c D. BEAVER COIN CONTROLLED OPERATING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Sept. 28, 1922 a Sheets-Sheet 1 M. "'"HHH' mum um I 1 W EEE EV E 1- attozuaf v Nov. 1 1924- 1,515,088

"c. p. BEAVER COIN CONTROLLED OPERATING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Sept. 28 2 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 RglE. mllllumi a atboznzp C. D. BEAVER com CONTROLLED OPERATING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 Filed Se gwocnl'oz nIl-E: 2 av a 1 III/v11 1/ 1 '1 Patented Nov. 11, 1924.

UNITED STATES CLAYTON n. BEAVER, or WAHOO, NEBRASKA.

COIN-CONTROLLED OPERATING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES.

I Application filed September 28, 1922. Serial No. 591,129.

To all-whom z'tmay concern:

Be it known that I, CLAYTON D. BEAVER, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Wahoo, in the county of Saunders and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Coin-Controlled Operating Mechanism for Vending Machines, of which the following is a specification.

ThisinVe-ntion relates to improvements in vending machines adapted for use in connection with the dispensing of liquids.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a coin operated vending machine, particularly well adapted for use in connection with the mixing of beverages, such as lemonade, root beer, sarsaparilla, and the like. I

A further object of this invention is the provision of a relatively simple and compact liquid vending machine embodying a novel type of dispensing apparatus which will effectively dispense the liquid-in prede termined quantities.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved type of coin operated lock mechanism whereby the dispensing mechanism of the vending machine above mentioned may be operated.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a compact beverage vending machine having a symmetrical and neat exterior appearance, and embodying an operating apparatus which is automatic in character.

I A. further object of the invention is the provision of a liquid vending machine emodying mechanism of the above mentioned character, which may be relatively detachably assembled to permit inspecting and sterilizing of the various parts thereof, in facile manner.

-Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters design-ate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved vending machine showing the details thereof in cross section.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the lower pOItiOIl' of the improved vendinn machine.

- adjusted positions.

Figure 3 is a view illustrating the various details of the coin operated mechanism embodied in the improved vending machine.

Figure 4 is a view showing substantially the details illustrated in Figure 3, however, in a differently adjusted relation.

Figure 5 is a view somewhat similar to th view illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, showing the details of the improved coin operated locking mechanism in differently Figure 6 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing locking details of the improved mechanism illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, showing merely the locking details of the improved mechanism in the adjusted position as illustrated in Figure 4:;

Figure 8 is a transverse crossv sectional view, taken substantially on the line 8--8 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a transverse cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 99 of Fi ire 4.

igure 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, showing details of the improved coin operated lock mechanism in plans Figure 11 is a transverse cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line l-1-1l of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a. plan illustrated in Figure 11. Figure 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken substantiall on the line l313 of Figure 1, showing the gearing arran ement of a dispensing mechanism embodied in the improved vending machine.

In the drawings, wherein-for the purpose of illustration is shown but the preferred view, of the detail embodiment of this invention, the letter A designates the improved vending machine which embodies a supply container B; supporting cabinet C; dispensin mechanism D; and coin operated lock mec lianism E.

Referring to the construction of the supply container B, the same preferably includes a cylindrical shaped body portion 10, which may be of metal and simulating somewhat the ordinary barrel or hogshead. Hoops or bands 11 may be riveted or otherwise secured to the outer circumference of the body 10 to provide a neat appearing supply container. 3 A closure lid 12 maybe swingably connected as at 13 to the top of the container B, having a hasp arrangement 14 connected upon the free end thereof. .A staple 15 is preferably provided upon the top of the supply container B for cooperation wit-h the hasp 14 in receiving a padlock or similar locking arrangement 16. The floor wall 17 of the container B preferably converges toward its center and is provided with an aperture 18 therethrough.

Referring to the cabinet C, the same is preferably ofpolygonal formation, including the top platform 20 upon which the supply container B rests, so that the bottom 17 of the container B depends into the chamber 21 of the cabinet C, thus communicating the chamber 22 of the supply container B, with the chamber 21 of the cabinet C through the opening 18. The cabinet C is provided with a supporting floor 22*- preferably having the supporting legs 23 mountedtherebelow. Front and rear walls 25' and 26 respectively, and side walls 27 are provided as parts of the cabinet C upon which the supporting platform 20 is mounted. A retaining band 30, which may be of steel, is preferably provided about the front side and rear Walls of the cabinet C immediately below the supporting platform 20. In order to have access to the interior 21 of the cabinet C, a swinging door 31 may be provided in'a side 27 of the cabinet C, said door 31, of course, having a suitable locking mechanism (not shown) there- The dispensing mechanism D is of novel formation and embodies a pipe line arrangement 35 within the cabinet G arranged axially of the container B and communicating therewith. This pipe line 35 preferably includes a fitting 36 havin an attaching disc 37 detachably connected thereto and attached to the lower surface 38 of the container bottom 17 a gasket 39 preferably being provided between the attaching disc 37 and wall 17 to provide a leak proof connection. The upper end of the pipe 36 preferably extends into the chamber 22 of the supply container B and is provided with a foraminous straining member 40 thereover which is likewise disposed over the opening 18 of the bottom 17, so that the liquid 41 may have solid material, such as seeds and foreign matter strained therefrom prior to its flow into the pipe line 35. Upper and lower valves 42 and 43 respectively, are provided as a part of the pipe line 35, having a cylindrical shaped compartment 44 connected to said pipe line therebetween.

The valves 42 and 43 arev controlled by an operating mechanism 45, so that when one of said valves is opened, the other is closed. The advantage of such arrangement is apparent, since thereby but a predetermined quantity of the liquid or beverage 41 may be dispensed with a single operation ofthe mechanism 45. Thus, the lower valve 43 being normally closed. the upper valve 42 is opened to permit the flow of the beverage 41 into the container 44 through said valve. \Vhen a person operates the mechanism 45 to receive a portion of the liquid 41, the upper valve mechanism 42 is closed and immediately after the closing of the same, the lower valve mechanism 43 is thrown open so that the liquid which is disposed within the container 44 may flow through the opened lower valve 43. through the conduit or pipe length 46, andinto a suitable tumbler or container 47 which is mounted exteriorly of the cabinet C in a bracket 48. The pipe length 46 is preferably-connected in the pipe line 35 substantially at right angles thereto as by an elbow 49, said pipe length 46 sloping gradually downward from its connection with the elbow 49 toward its nozzle end 50, which is disposed exteriorly of the front wall 25 of cabinet C. Bracket 48 is of course suitably attached below the nozzle 50 and may have a drain plug 51 therein for the cleansing of the cup portion 52 of'the same, since drippings of the liquid 41 will invariably occur when the tumbler 47 is removed.

Referring to' the beverage operating means 45 for controlof the valves 42 and 43, the same includes a shaft 52 which is horizontally arranged in the cabinet (7, having the forward end thereof extending through the wall 25 and bearing therein, and having the rear end thereof rotatably bearing in a cap attached to the container 44. A relatively large gear wheel 55 is detachabl'y and slidably mounted upon the shaft 52, as by a set screw 56, adjacent the container 44 and adapted for meshing with the relatively smaller operating gears 57 and 58 of the valve mechanisms 42 and 43.

The ratio of the gear with respect to the equal sized gears 57 and 58 is such that a quarter turn of the gear 55 willresult in a half revolution of each of the gears 57 and 58 in order to operate the valves 42 and 43. The outside end of the shaft 52 is preferably provided with an operating lever or crank arm 59 which has a hand engaging member 60 upon the outer end thereof- A spiral spring 61 is preferably turned about the shaft 52 within the cabinet G, having one end thereof connected as at 62 to the front wall 25 of cabinet C and having the other end attached to the shaft 52 as by a rivet member 63. The spring 61 normally maintains the lever 59 and shaft 52 in such relation that the upper valve 42 is normally opened, and the'lower valve 43 normally closed, thus permitting filling of the dispensing container 44 with the liquid 41 from the supply container B.

Referring to the locking mechanism E, the same is coin controlled and cooperates lit) with the lever 59 of the dispensing mechanism D. p A stub shaft extends inwardly through an arcuate slot 66 provided in the front wall 25 of cabinet C, said stub shaft 65 being carried by the outer end of the operating lever 59, preferably axially of the handle member 60. This stub shaft 65 is provided with a coin receiving socket 66 upon the free end thereof within the chamber 21 of the cabinet C, said coin socket 66 embodying a sleeve portion 67 which is detach-ably connected as by a screw member 68 through the stub shaft or pin 65. A coin slot 70 is provided through the front wall of the cabinet C and its reinforcing band 30 upwardly of the lever 69, said coin slot 70 preferably inclining downwardly within the cabinet C. A guide member or chute 71 is preferably attached inwardly of the cabinet C to the front wall 25, having a passageway 72 therein whereby a coin fed into the slot 70 may fall therethrough into the funnel mouth 73 of the coin socket 66. This coin socket 66 is of novel formation, having the front and end walls thereof flaring and having a bottom opening 74 provided therethrough whereby they lower portion of a coin 75 which falls into the socket member 66 can protrude therethrough. In this manner the socket member 66 will take coins of a predetermined denomination, and permit the passage of relatively smaller coins and spurious articles therethrough, so as not to operate the mechanism E, and in no way interfering with the efficiency of the same. Since the length of the bottom opening 74 of the socket member 66 is less than the diameter of the coin 75 which the "same is adapted to hold, it can readily be understood that the coin 75 will be retained therein directly after its insertion by an operator. A locking lug 77 is adjustably and detachably carried by the stud pin 65 intermediate the wall 25 and coin slot 66, which cooperates with a shoulder 78 of an oscillating latch member 79, the latter being connected by a bolt 80 through the front cabinet wall 25. A flat spring 81 is carried by a block 82, the latter being connected'to the inside surface of the cabinet wall 25, said spring 81 including a resilient arm which extends outwardly for engagement in a slot 83 in the head portion of the free end of the operating latch 79. This arm 81 is normally flexed so that the latch member 79 is forced downwardly into position in order that a projection 84 thereon may engage a pin 85 extending inwardly from the cabinet wall 25. In this position, the locking shoulder 78 is directly in the path of movement of the locking lug 77 carried by the stub shaft or pin 65. It is obvious that a person cannot swing the lever 59 so long as the shoulder 78 is positioned for engagement by the locking lug 77. In order that the latch member 79 may be oscillatively moved out of position when the proper coin has been disposed in the coin socket 66, a roller or pulley member 87 has been pivotally mounted upon the detachable screw 88 which is carried by the outer end of the movable latch member 79, the groove 90 of this roller 87 being positioned in the path of movement of the coin 75 so that as the latter is moved through space in the coin socket 66, it will engage said pulley or roller 87 and oscillate said latch member 79 upon its pivot pin 86.-

66 will have been swung into the position illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, so that the coin 75 falls by gravity into a com box 92, which is slidably carried by the front wall and floor of the cabinet C. A suitable lock 93 may be provided upon the cabinet C and drawer 92 so that the latter may not be removed without author ity.

From the foregoing description of this invention it can readily be understood that a relatively simple and economical vending machine has been provided, which is automatic in its operation in dispensing a predetermined quantity of beverage, merely necessitating the dropping of a proper coin into the slot 70 and a quarter turn of a lever 59 in order to effect operation of the same. The coin controlled locking mechanism is of particular merit, in that the same makes provision for the reception of a proper coin and will not be placed out of order by the insertion of an improper article. The dispensing mechanism D is fool proof, in that the gears have been made of such a ratio as to permit of entire closing of the top valve 42 before the lower valve 43 is opened, and vice versa. Since the dispensing arrangement D and especially the valves 42 and 43 will require occasional sterilization, the relatively large gear 55 has been made slidable upon the shaft 52 so that the same may be placed out of meshing relation with the smaller gears 57 and 58 in order to permit of opening of the valves 42 and 43 at the same time, so that an operator may flush the inside of the container B and permit draining of contents through the pipe line 35. Easy access may be had to the dispensing mechanism D and all details within the cabinet 0 through the side door 31.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spiritrof this invention or the scope of .the claims. Y

I claim: r

1. In a structure of the character de scribed a support including a wall having an arcuate slot therein, a rotary operating shaft extending through the wall, a lever handle carried by said shaft externally of said wall, a stub shaft extending from said handle through said slot, an abutment carried by the stub shaft within the support, a latch movably mounted on the inner face of said wall, a spring'yieldably holding said latch in position for engagement by the abutment to prevent swinging of the handle and rotation of the operating shaft, a coin receiving cup carried by the inner end of said stub shaft, the cup being open at its top and bottom and having downwardly converging end walls whereby a coin of a predetermined size may be supported in the cup to move the latch to an inoperative position when the handle is -moved and a small coin permitted to drop movement of the latch in the operative direction, and antifriction means carried by the latch for engagement by a coin supcup.

CLAYTON D. BEAVER.

ported in the 

